In recent years, Poblacion has been touted as a neighborhood bustling with establishments that range from party places to dining concepts. New to the scene is One World Butchers, a deli and restaurant which specializes in house-made gourmet sausages, and asador-grilled meats. One World Butchers stands at the corner of Kalayaan Avenue and Matilde Street. Its red brick facade is flanked by breezy outdoor seating, while inside, a grand asador sits at the heart of the open kitchen. It goes without saying that a lot of searing, flaming, broiling, and grilling happens here, calling out to meatheads like moths to a flame (moths to a grill in this case).
Dishes at One World Butchers are thoughtfully conceptualized and crafted by Chef Miguel Gianan and his team. To start, Black Forest Ham and Egg (P350), features smoked house ham atop a sturdy raft of rye bread with grilled asparagus and a marinated egg. One World Butchers Board (P650) is an eye-catcher that’s an assortment of handcrafted cold cuts, curated meats, and cheese, which is good for sharing.
One World Butchers Board
The fresh energy is notable in the sausages. The meat is impeccable, and the flavors are a proper punch to the gob. Artisanal sausages like Sundried with Cheese, Cilantro Jalapeño Cheddar, Green Mexican, Smokey Hawaiian, Kaffir and Red Curry Pork are available alongside the traditional Cheese Kransky, Thüringen Bratwurst, and English Pork Sausage. Diners can choose to have their sausages with a selection of sides and sauces, or can have them as a flatdog: sausages are placed on a piece of flatbread then loaded with fixings!
Heat-blistered meats are also hefty with flavors, intensified with the lick of the flame before the lick of the tongue. More to the point, the robustly flavored, pit-roasted Braveheart Bone-in Ribeye (P4,500 for sharing), or the Manly Skirt Steak (P2,900 for sharing), are both serious lookers but are also, more importantly, a delight to eat.
Braveheart Bone-in Ribeye Flatdog- The GreekCumberland
For light against the shade, they have the staple European (Spätzle) Mac (P250), the perky Fully Loaded Grilled Corn (200), nose-tickling Sauerkraut (P160), and tasty Dirty Rice (P200), to name a few. The dessert menu may be short but it knocks out spiffing sweet endings to your meal: Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownie, Apple Berry Crumble, Berry Panna Cotta (P300 each).
Peanut Butter Pretzel Brownie
The cooking here at One World Butchers is big and bullish but the observable commissary is where the real action is. Everything you see in the deli case is made from scratch right there, daily—exactly what makes a good delicatessen exceptional. The display has an assemblage of sausages, cold cuts, and trimmings ready for the picking, perfect for cooking up a gourmet meal at home.
As it happens, One World Butchers is the latest concept to be introduced under PYC Foods Corporation. As with PYC’s other brands, introducing One World Butchers is their way of bringing the best of the world to the discerning Filipino consumers.
One World Butchers is located at 8491 Kalayaan Avenue corner Matilde Street, Makati. Store hours are from 11 AM to 10 PM, Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday and 11am to 12 midnight, Thursday to Saturday. For reservations, contact 09178236631.
On its 10th edition, slated from November 17-26, 2022, QCinema International Film Festival celebrates the classics anew. Newly restored versions of unforgettable films by two celebrated directors will be screened in the festival.
Mike de Leon’s classic movies Itim (The Rites of May) (1976), which is also his debut feature, and Kisapmata(In the Wink of an Eye) (1981) will be screened in QCinema’s Digitally Restored Classic Section together with Wong Kar-wai’s romantic drama In The Mood for Love (2000).
The new restoration of Itim premiered recently at Cannes Film Festival at the Cannes Classic section wherein a special selection of best restored prints is shown to encourage people to explore the history of cinema around the world.
The film, which was voted the best film of the decade (1970-1979) by Gawad Urian, stars Charo Santos, her first film project, together with Tommy Abuel, Mario Montenegro, and Mona Lisa.
The 107-minute psychological drama follows the story of a young photographer from Manila who returns to his hometown to visit his paralyzed father. During the visit, he documents the local Holy Week rites, and meets Teresa, a mysterious woman who is haunted by her sister’s death.
Kisapmata, another Mike de Leon gripping masterpiece, is based on the murder-suicide case of the Cabading family in 1961. It was inspired by Nick Joaquin’s crime report “The House on Zapote Street. ” Using his pen name Quijano de Manila, Joaquin’s account was published by the Philippine Free Press magazine. De Leon’s film is labeled as one of the most horrifying films in Philippine cinema history.
The multi-awarded film also stars Charo Santos, with Vic Silayan, Jay Ilagan, and Charito Solis.
Aside from QCinema, the films will also have screenings at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), which is doing a Mike de Leon retrospective entitled “Mike de Leon, Self-Portrait of a Filipino Filmmaker” the entire month of November. MoMA, in its website, revered Mike de Leon as “one of Filipino cinema’s most fiercely political and dramatic storytellers in his own right.”
Completing the QCinema’s Digitally Restored Classics section is the 4K restored version of 2000 romantic drama In The Mood for Love by Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai, who is best known for the non-linear narratives and unique cinematography in his films.
Considered by many as one of the best romantic movies ever made, the film stars Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung, who play two brokenhearted people finding solace in each other’s company. The film is also often listed as one of the greatest films of all time and one of the major works of Asian cinema.
The restored version was first presented in celebration of the 20th anniversary of its release in 2020 and has played to sold-out cinema screenings and festivals around the world.
Finally, this is the first time in years that we finally get to enjoy this spooky season outside of our homes and be part of the crowd as we celebrate Halloween! And if you’re pumped up to have a fun time around the metro, then we’re here to cater to your spooks-seeking souls. On this list, we’ve rounded up some of the exciting parties and events that will be happening in Metro Manila this Halloween!
Events for the Family
Diamond Fun Zone at Diamond Hotel
October 30, 10 AM to 5 PM (Diamond Ballroom, Diamond Hotel Manila)
Kids can enjoy hours of playing high-energy inflatable and arcade games, as well as go trick or treating around the hotel. Tickets are available for P750 per person at onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com or by visiting the hotel lobby from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Okada Manila has prepared some spooky Halloween adventures and activities for families this October 29. Parents and kids can wear costumes for a trick-or-treat at the Crystal Pavilion and there will also be a Human Claw Machine experience for a chance to win exciting prizes. Buy your tickets here for P2,888 nett.
October 29, 2 PM to 5 PM (The Grand Ballroom, The Bellevue Manila)
Join the fun Halloween and dress up as your favorite video game character at the Belleboo Arcadia, where the family can enjoy a buffet treat, fun activities, game booths, arcade machines, themed live shows, a raffle, and loot bags with goodies. Buy your tickets for P1,888 here.
Spookfest 2022 at DreamPlay, City of Dreams Manila
October 29 to 30 (DreamPlay, City of Dreams, Manila)
DreamPlay has lined up some Halloween-themed freebies and events for the whole family, such as the “Shrek or Treat” Scavenger Hunt; pumpkin cookie-making at Cooking with Gingy; Poke-a-pumpkin game; Halloween paper mask-making session; and a trick-or-treat activity with Shrek & Fiona at The Shoppes at the Boulevard. The Spookfest VIP Package for P2,999 net. Call 02 8808 0909 or 02 8800 8080 for more details.
October 30, 4 PM (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila)
Dubbed as “A Tuneful Fiesta at Filharmonia,” this year’s family concert features 10-year-old pianist Ella Gabrielle Gaw and 7-year-old marimba player Gioia Francesco M. De la Cruz, who will perform with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera. The show will be hosted by theater actress-director Liesl Batucan-del Rosario. Buy your tickets here.
Spook Street at Bonifacio High Street
October 29 (Bonifacio High Street, BGC)
Get ready for day-long fun and treats this Halloween at Bonifacio Global City! One Bonifacio High Street on 5th Avenue will turn into Spook Street, all decked up with creepy surroundings and friendly monsters, pleasantly “scaring” kids with treats and surprises.
Parties for Adults
Hallyuween Philippines at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
October 29, 6 PM (SM Mall of Asia Arena)
Enjoy a night filled with KPop and K-Culture on a spooky yet exhilarating stage this Halloween. Enjoy Korean acts such as CL!, KARD, GAHO, and Epik High, together with BGYO and DJ SODA. Ticket prices range from P2,650 to P12,720. Buy your tickets now via SM Tickets.
Forests & Terrible People Live at Mandala Park
October 29 (Mandala Park, Mandaluyong)
Watch Singaporean acts Forests and Terrible People perform in Manila for a Halloween party happening at Mandala Park this October 29. Online reservations are P500 per ticket, while the venue price is P600. Book your tickets here.
Halloween Howlers at Circuit Makati
October 31 (Circuit Makati)
Have a rocking Howl-loween and join the Halloween Howlers packed with haunting activities and 12 hours of non-stop music from artists like Bamboo, Gloc 9, Shanti Dope, Mayonnaise, Marc Marasigan, and more. Get your tickets from P600 to P5,000 from www.halloweenhowlers.com or at smtickets.com.
Oka Tokat Soupstar Halloween Night at 19East
October 31, 6 PM (19East, Sucat, Manila)
Enjoy a night of live performances from an exciting lineup of artists such as Sandwich, Moonstar88, 6 Cyclemind, Pedicab, Gracenote, and more! The door charge is P800 plus P800 consumables.
Halloween View Deck Party at Arcovia City
October 29, 7 PM (The View Deck, Arcovia City, Pasig)
Arcovia City in Pasig City is leveling up the Halloween celebrations with fun parties, booze galore, and good music. Come in your spookiest costume and join Thriller Night at The View Deck. Halloween revelers can party with other guests while enjoying scrumptious fare and live music from the city’s hottest DJs.
Halloween Party at the O2 Rooftop Bar
October 29 (O2 Rooftop Bar, Penthouse, The Residences, BGC)
Ready your costumes and celebrate a spooktacular Halloween at O2 Rooftop Bar! Enjoy some sickening music that’ll make you want to stay up ‘till dawn and prizes you wouldn’t want to miss. Book your tickets here.
Halloween Party at The Canary, Taguig
October 31 (The Canary, Taguig)
Be part of The Canary’s Halloween Party with DJ Buddah and Budweiser as their official partners. Enjoy unlimited beer and pica pica from 9 PM to 12 midnight. Book your reservations here.
More Halloween Events
Halloween Trick or Treat: KPOP Flash Mob 2022 at MET L!vE
This event teases a K-Pop flash mob, K-activities, K-Cosplay, and more for fans to enjoy! Admission is free. Learn more.
Runaway This Halloween at Ortigas Malls
October 29, 5 PM (Estancia Mall) & October 30, 6 AM (Greenhills)
Get ready to sprint away the fear of zombies with the exciting Zombie Run at the GStrip Parking, Greenhills Mall, and the Neon Run happening at the G/F East Wing & Capitol Commons Park. Register for the Neon Run and Zombie Run here.
Wakey Wakey at Uptown Bonifacio
October 28 to 30 (Uptown Bonifacio, BGC, Taguig)
This October 28, join Terror in the Theater with Mystery Manila and face your fears as you try to escape a horror cinema by finding clues and objects that will help solve the mystery. On October 29, kids can join a Scavenger Hunt and from October 29 to 30, Uptown Bonifacio’s Tipple, Trick & Treats offer deals on booze, food, and activities. Visit Uptown Bonifacio on Facebook to learn more.
Ozine Fest Halloween Special at Promenade, Greenhills
October 29-30 (Upper Box Events Space, Promenade, Greenhills)
Anime fans, make your Halloween more awesome with Ozine’s upcoming event, featuring a cosplay competition, acoustic bands, anime merch, and more! Learn more.
Halloween Circus at Araneta City
October 30, 2 PM (Gateway Mall and Ali Mall)
The City of Firsts has lined up some fun events and activities this Halloween, including a circus parade, magic show, costume contest, and more! Click here to learn more.
Brace yourselves for some thrilling Halloween events happening at Megaworld Lifestyle Malls! A lot of us missed the experience of in-person parties and activities during the spookiest season of the year, so this 2022, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls returns with frighteningly good activities that will send chills down your spine. Check out the list below and try the activities with friends and family.
1. Wakey Wakey at Uptown Bonifacio
Uptown Bonifacio has partnered with Mystery Manila to bring Terror in the Theater this Halloween. This October 28, face your fears and try to escape a horror cinema by finding clues and objects that will help solve the mystery. Bring your friends and step up to the challenge!
At Uptown Parade, social clubs are holding their own spooktacular Halloween parties.
Xylo is inviting everyone to Paradigm, their 3-day Halloween Weekend Celebration from October 28 to 31. For exclusive table bookings, contact 0917 680 8888.
2. Halloween View Deck Party at Arcovia City
Arcovia City in Pasig City is leveling up the Halloween celebrations with fun parties, booze galore, and good music. On October 29 at 7:00pm, come in your spookiest costume and join Thriller Night at The View Deck. Halloween revelers can party with other guests while enjoying a scrumptious fare and live music from the city’s hottest DJs.
If you have pets, bring them to Dog Town Howl-o-ween and score free treats and vet consultations. They also have a spooky pet fashion show where your fur babies have the chance to win amazing prizes.
3. Zombie Land at Festive Walk Iloilo
Run for your lives in Zombie Land at Festive Walk Iloilo. No brains are safe in the Zombie Outbreak this October 29 to be held at the One Madison Area. The event is a 3-kilometer fun run that guests can join for free, and they can choose whether they want to run dressed as a survivor or as a zombie. In the Grave Rave: Halloween Costume Party also on October 29,
guests can double the spookiness and join the first Halloween costume party at Festive Walk Iloilo, where they can also get the chance to win exciting prizes.
It’s raining deals and discounts in Pub Crawl, where mall-goers can enjoy Halloween promos from participating restaurants and cafes. At the Fang-tastic Fair, a variety of spooky items and Halloween essentials will be available for sale.
For more updates on the latest happenings, visit megaworld-lifestylemalls.com or call our hotline at (63 2) 8-462-8888.
In its continuing mission to bring the Filipino youth together through volunteerism, as well as spread the gospel of servant leadership and the culture of bayanihan amid challenges, nonprofit organization I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) is reviving its Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards-recognized “MAD Talks” event, happening on October 22 at the RCBC Plaza, Makati.
Dubbed as “MAD Talks presents: Sa Ngayon, Padayon. (Kwentuhan. Kantahan. Kabayanihan.)” and created in collaboration with digital creator and witty shirts brand Linya-Linya, this gathering on volunteerism will highlight the spirit of resilience and positivity that comes from purpose. ‘Padayon’ is a term used in several Visayan languages (Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, and more), which means to move on, carry on, or move forward. Regardless of how challenging the situation is, there will always be a reason to bounce back, move forward, keep going, and continue helping and making a difference.
Taking the center stage at MAD Talks Padayon event is mental health, just in time for the celebration of the World Mental Health Month in October. With the pandemic having a considerable impact on people’s mental health,I am M.A.D. hopes to raise awareness on this prevailing issue, especially among the Filipino youth and young adults. It will also open a discussion on the positive impact of volunteerism on mental health, especially how it can bring meaning and purpose to one’s life while improving self-esteem and well-being.
“The pandemic has spurred an important conversation about the need to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others, too. At I am M.A.D., we hope to address mental health issues in an empathetic way, with a unifying voice, helping everyone feel hopeful by empowering them to take action and create lasting change through our MAD Talks Padayon event,” said Christian Marx Rivero, co-founder and chairman of I am M.A.D.
Rivero, who is also a recognized United Nations Youth Leader and is one of the speakers, added that the theme “Sa Ngayon, Padayon” reminds everyone to push through their journey in life and continue believing that they can do something meaningful even in the face of uncertainty.
Headlining the event to share their personal experiences and anecdotes are: H.E.L.P. Pilipinas founder Dra. Mildred Vitangcol; peace and development champion and counter-terrorism operator Capt. AJ Ramos Celestial of the Philippine Army; women empowerment advocate and I am M.A.D.’s chief of volunteer operations Ruth Butad; multi-awarded Global Youth Leader and ASEAN Youth Advocates Network founder Mirus Ponon; Outstanding Volunteer-recipient and I am M.A.D.’s co-founder and chief executive volunteer Maco Ravanzo; and mental health advocate Ymari Kristia Pascua whose story was featured on ABS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya” program.
Also expect a grand musical treat from Jose Rizal University’s Teatro Rizal that includes GMA’s The Clash alumnus and ABS-CBN’s Tawag ng Tanghalan contender Kyle Pasajol and a special performance from Tawag ng Tanghalan four-time defending champion Vanessa Celestial.
Regarded as “Your Ultimate Hugot Event,” MAD Talks welcomes everyone, whether part of the volunteering community or not, including students, leaders, educators, and young professionals, as it promotes a safe space to share, support, and socialize.
MAD Talks presents: Sa Ngayon, Padayon. is happening on Saturday, October 22, 2022, 12:30PM at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, 4/F RCBC Plaza in Makati City. Get ready to be inspired with stories of struggles and survival (Kwentuhan), be entertained with soulful songs (Kantahan), and believe in the ‘MADgic’ of volunteerism (Kabayanihan). Reserve your seats at bit.ly/MADTalksPadayon. Ticket price is PHP 249.00 inclusive of a bottle of coffee, tote bag, and donation to I am M.A.D. programs. Student rate is available at PHP 149.00.
MAD Talks Padayon is co-presented by the Rotary Club of Makati Uptown, Rotary District 3830, and H.E.L.P. Pilipinas, in cooperation with CID Communication, Creative Adobo, Itemhound, and JRU – Teatro Rizal. This event is likewise supported by the National Youth Commission – Youth Organization Registration Program (YORP), along with the following media partners: BusinessWorld, ClickTheCity.com, CSR Insights, DigitalFilipina.com, Inquirer Group of Companies (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer Super, Inquirer.net, Inquirer Mobile), Mellow947.fm, Metropoler.net, Mindanao Times, Now You Know PH, PageOne Media, SwirlingOverCoffee.com, The Manila Times, The New Channel, WhenInRizal.com, and WhenInManila.com as the primary blog partner.I am M.A.D. relies on the goodwill of people through fundraisers and the power of social media. Supportthe organization by donating through bit.ly/bidadonate. For updates, partnerships, and volunteer opportunities, send an email to iammadph@gmail.com. Follow and message I am M.A.D. on Facebook (fb.com/IamMakingADifference), Instagram/Twitter/Tiktok (@iammad_ph), Youtube (bit.ly/IamMADYoutube) and podcast via anchor.fm/iammad or bit.ly/MADTalksSpotify.
Discover what can happen when you let life in. See Tom Hanks as Otto in the official trailer of Columbia Pictures’ heartwarming comedy/drama “A Man Called Otto,” in Philippine cinemas 2023.
Trailer Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Based on the comical and moving # 1 New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower who is very set in his ways. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that will turn his world upside-down. Experience a funny, heartwarming story about how some families come from the most unexpected places.
Poster Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Directed by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland), A Man Called Otto stars Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Cast Away), Mariana Treviño (Club the Cuervos), Rachel Keller (Fargo) and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (TheMagnificent Seven). The screenplay is written by Academy Award® nominee David Magee (Best Adapted Screenplay, Life of Pi, 2012; Best Adapted Screenplay, Finding Neverland, 2004) based upon the best-selling novel “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. The film is also based on the Swedish film written and directed by Hannes Holm. The film is being produced by Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Fredrik Wikström Nicastro.
In Philippine cinemas 2023, A Man Called Otto is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #AManCalledOtto
The complete lineup for the Metro Manila Film Festival 2022 has just been announced! With a total of eight official entries, this year’s MMFF has selected four finished films from 22 submissions, in addition to the first four entries picked based on script submissions.
The Selection Committee headed by the multi-awarded figure from our film industry, Boots Anson-Rodrigo, chose the finalists based on the following criteria: Artistic Excellence – 40%, Commercial Appeal – 40%, Filipino Cultural Values – 10% and Global Appeal – 10%.
The four new films to complete the lineup includes Deleter, a horror film from Viva Films and director Mikhail Red starring Nadine Lustre; Family Matters from Cineko Productions and Nuel Naval; Mamasapano by Borracho Film Production and Lester Dimaranan; and My Father, Myself from 3:16 Media Network and director Joel Lamangan.
The other four films that have been earlier confirmed for this year’s MMFF are Labyu with an Accent by ABS-CBN Film Productions and Rodel Nacianceno; Nanahimik Ang Gabi by Rein Entertainment Productions and director Shugo Praico; Partnersin Crime by Cathy Garcia-Molina; and The Teacher by TEN17P and Paul Soriano.
The 48th MMFF will run from December 25 to January 7, 2023, in theaters nationwide while observing the required health protocols. The Gabi Ng Parangal will be held on December 27.
I’m very tired of the antihero storylines. With the current global crises and seeing the world the way it is now – with an ongoing war in the Ukraine and populist presidents winning elections in so many countries – I feel that the antihero narrative in commercial and mainstream movies needs to take a step back as we need to somehow revitalize our sense of idealism and optimism. I would prefer to leave my thoughts on nihilism and cynicism to independent films. In these very challenging times, I don’t want to cheer for antiheroes in a big-budget blockbuster superhero movie.
This is why I was very skeptical after seeing the trailer of Black Adam. To take one of the most charismatic superstars like Dwayne Johnson and dress him up as (from the little I know about the Shazam comics) the villain Black Adam made me very resistant to seeing this film.
To my utter surprise, there’s a whole lot in ‘Black Adam’ that I really enjoyed. There are camp moments in the film – take note of a wonderful, short homage to a Spaghetti Western and the over-the-top super-heroic battles across the fictional city of Kahndaq – that are really the highlights of this movie. When the film leans into its comic book genre, the film is so enjoyable. Director Jaume Collet-Serra makes full use of long shots that helps create a feeling of scale for the sheer, immense power that the character Black Adam possesses. He also uses freeze frames, extreme close-ups, and other heavy special effects moments that for some reason remind me of Zack Snyder’s ‘300’ but done better because he doesn’t take it too seriously.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
It’s this camp aesthetic that really works in this film because the power levels of Black Adam are just through the roof. So when it makes attempts at seriousness – the relationship between a teenager named Amon (Bodhi Sabongui) and his mother Adrianna (Sarah Shahi), who awakens Black Adam from his slumber and Amon and Black Adam himself – are the weakest moments of the film. It doesn’t help that Sabongui is not the best and most engaging of actors but the characterisation of Amon runs contrary to the other aspect of the film that I really enjoyed.
Amon (and consequently the way Sabongui portrays him) feels very Americanized despite coming from Kahndaq, a fictional city of what appears to be of middle eastern origins (though the comics has Black Adam being of Egyptian origin). The film depicts Kahndaq as a city taken over by a criminal gang called The Intergang. And while the visual imagery is that of a war-torn middle eastern city, the people of Kahndaq speak English (with an accent) and Amon is very Americanized (as seen when his bag opens and you can see he grew up reading comic books of Wonder Woman and Superman).
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
While Black Adam resurfaces and begins to wreak havoc in Kahndaq, he speaks the languageof Kahndaq, that I can’t decipher, maybe Egyptian at the start but then quickly speaks in English despite having been asleep for 5000 years. There’s an underlying story of colonization and liberty that is at the undercurrent of this film. As Black Adam appears to be a global threat because of his power, members of the Justice Society fly to Kahndaq to stop him. This creates a wonderful discussion on the ideals of moral authority. Adrianna defends Black Adam, who has begun to take out the Intergang while protecting Amon, and throws back at Hawkman and Dr. Fate of the Justice Society and asks them where were they when the Intergang took their city and enslaved their people.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
The politics of this situation – is Black Adam good or bad, are his methods right or wrong (he is from a different time afterall and his ideas of justice are shaped by that), and what right does the Justice Society have to fly into whatever situation they deem is a threat but ignore other global calamities such as the taking of Kahndaq – creates a gray area that the film sort of explores (that very few other superhero films ever get to do like ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’ and ‘Captain America: Civil War’). For these discussions alone – and not painting the Justice Society immediately as the good guys – makes ‘Black Adam’ refreshing and different and new.
Yes, he is an antihero and while the methods and morality that he uses are questionable, it is contextualized by the individual situation of Kahndaq and Black Adam’s own history. I was not expecting this at all and it made the film quite enjoyable for me. It’s not afraid to stay in the gray areas and if it leaned in more into its campy side, I think it would have balanced everything out completely.
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
But for a comic book movie, I got plenty of great superhero battles (the visualization of Dr. Fate and Cyclone is just wonderful and thrilling to see on IMAX) and I got to see Dwayne Johnson evoke his charm without relying too much on dialogue. He’s using a completely different skill set here.
Don’t be bogged down by the weakness of its extended opening exposition. When Black Adam makes his first appearance, it’s all uphill from there. Enjoy the excessiveness and indulgences of the film, which is the campy aesthetic I wish it leaned into more heavily. There’s a lot to enjoy here, and most especially the mid-credit end scene. It got the most cheers and with good reason.
THE Cultural Center of the Philippines, in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, and EU Member States Embassies present FREE film screenings from October 21-28, 2022 at the CCP in celebration of the silver anniversary of the Cine Europa Film Festival. This year, there will be an outdoor public screening at the CCP Front Lawn and an extended screening indoors at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde.
Cine Europa is the longest flagship film festival in the country organized annually by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines and the EU Member States which has been the hallmark cultural event of the EUDelegation to the Philippines. Beyond showing European films, this program has become a platform to strengthen EU-Philippine cultural relations and collaboration with Philippine cultural institutions and other partners.
For the line-up of films to be showcased this year, the EU Delegation, the European Union Member States Embassies together with Cultúr Éireann, Irish Film Institute, Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, and the Philippine-Italian Association, have curated a set of award-winning films showcasing different genres that will attract every viewer, with a particular emphasis this year on youth in celebration of the European Year of Youth 2022.
Additional to this, a special film from Ukraine will be the opening film for the festival in CCP in solidarity with Ukraine and its people who were victims of an illegal war of aggression and invasion by Russia.
Screening dates are as follows:
October 21 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
Klondike (Ukraine) The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (Sweden)
October 22 – Front Lawn (3:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
Luzzu (Malta) Mysi Patri Do Nebe [Even Mice Belong in Heaven] (Czech Republic, France Slovakia, Poland) Oskar & Lilli – Ein Bisschen Bleiben Wir Noch [Oskar & Lilli – Where No One Knows Us] (Austria)
October 23 – Front Lawn (3:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
La Vita Facile [Easy Living] (Italy) Libertad [Freedom] (Spain) Bicycle Thieves: Pumped Up (Ireland)
October 25 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
October 26 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
Never Gonna Snow Again (Poland) Exil [Exile] (Germany)
October 27 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
Mysi Patri Do Nebe [Even Mice Belong in Heaven] (Czech Republic, France Slovakia, Poland) Klondike (Ukraine)
October 28 – Tanghalang Manuel Conde (6:00 pm, 8:30 pm)
The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (Sweden) The Spiders Man (Italy) [will feature a film cast appearance before the screening]
All film screenings are FREE to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, still with observance to the New Normal Health Protocols.
For more information about the event, please follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @culturalcenterph/ @ccpfbnm and the socials of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines @EUDelegationToThePhilippines/ @cineeuropaph.
Disney+ is finally coming to the Philippines this November! Disney has officially announced that the streaming platform is coming to the Philippines this November 17. They have also revealed the subscription plans which start at P159 per month.
Check out the pricing for Disney+ below:
The Mobile Plan is for P159 monthly or P1,150 annually while the Premium Plan is available for P369 monthly or P2,950 annually. Depending on the plan, subscribers can enjoy their favorite titles on different devices, including smartphones and tablets (Android or iOS), smart TVs such as Samsung and LG, and connected TV devices including Google TV and other Android TV OS, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, and Chromecast.
Disney+ is now home to numerous pre-existing titles from Disney, as well as original shows and movies exclusive to the platform. Aside from your Disney favorites, Disney+ also streams titles from other big franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, and Pixar movies. They also have compelling documentaries from National Geographic and Korean titles for fans of K-dramas.
Check out some of the titles you can enjoy on the platform soon:
• Disney+ Originals and exclusives like Marvel Studios’ WandaVision, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Moon Knight and Loki; Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Andor; Hocus Pocus 2 and the upcoming Willow and Disenchanted
• Korean content such as Big Mouth, Snowdrop, BTS: PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE – LA, IN THE SOOP : Friendcation, Soundtrack #1 and Doctor Lawyer
• Blockbuster films from Marvel Studios including Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Black Panther, Thor: Love and Thunder, and the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
• All 12 Star Wars movies including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
• Access to iconic Walt Disney Animation Studios’ movies including the Oscar-winning Encanto, the live action reimagining of Pinocchio, as well as animated classics including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, Mulan, Raya and the Last Dragon, The Lion King, Zootopia and more.
• Heartwarming and powerful storytelling from Disney and Pixar, including Lightyear, Turning Red, Soul, Luca, Coco, and more
• Documentaries and specials from National Geographic including Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth, Running Wild with Bear Grylls, and more
• A specially curated Star content selection including Emmy Award® winning series Grey’s Anatomy, Dopesick, NCIS and reality TV hits The Kardashians and more
• Other movies from franchises including the X-Men, Predator, Night at the Museum, Home Alone, and well-loved animated series like The Simpsons and Family Guy
• Premium live events and video-on-demand from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
• The newest season of Emmy award-winning singing competition series, The Voice
You can now pre-register for Disney+ here. For the latest updates, follow Disney+ Philippines on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
